Experts have been warning that shark sightings on the Southern California coast are getting more frequent, and insane footage of them swimming inches away from surfers illustrates that danger.
In what seems to be drone footage posted April 15, an individual on a purple board with a paddle in hand is riding a small wave at Manhattan Beach.
Right before the wave ride, one can see a shark lurking right beneath the water’s surface directly underneath the surfer.
“They’re back! It’s been a little over 10 years since the last great white summit here in the South bay!” commented visual artist Bob Ridges. “And it looks Mother Nature and El Niño have invited all the babies.”
Ridges said he was out paddling when he saw a shark breach the water’s surface about five feet into the air. That led him to investigate further to capture the footage.
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Other footage shows what seems to be a great white shark swimming peacefully through the greenish waters.
Southern California is an ideal spot for young sharks, with a suitable water temperature and ample prey.
But researchers are closely monitoring local waters, warning that unusually warm ocean temperatures and a potential El Niño could recreate conditions where sharks move closer to shore.
“The water has been progressively warmer — unusually warm,” Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, told the Orange County Register. “We think that may have brought females back earlier to give birth. All those are signs it will be a sharky summer.”
Recent encounters are already raising concerns along the coast.
In Newport Beach, ocean access was temporarily halted in March after a surfer spotted a shark gliding beneath her, circling just below her board.
Actual shark bites remain extremely rare — averaging fewer than two per year statewide — according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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